Fagerlund's sounding stones

by Anna Pulkkis

"The orchestra is a natural medium of expression for Sebastian Fagerlund. The BIS recording of three rather recent orchestral works shows different aspects of his orchestral language through excellent performances by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu."

The orchestra is a natural medium of expression for Sebastian Fagerlund (b. 1972). The BIS recording of three rather recent orchestral works shows different aspects of his orchestral language, through excellent performances by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu.

Drifts (2017) and Stonework (2015) are parts of an orchestral triptych – the third part, Water Atlas, premiered in April 2018 and does not feature on this recording.

Stonework gives a lighter, livelier impression. The music is dominated by pulsating rhythms and dry percussion sounds but also includes charged moments of stasis. Regarding general character and treatment of rhythm, Stonework is related to Transit, concerto for guitar and orchestra (2013). The virtuoso solo part played by Ismo Eskelinen evokes echoes of classical Spanish guitar music. The orchestral texture is translucent, and the six movements form a seamless continuum that is both complex and fresh.